Two weeks ago, Dankworth, a junior in high school from Texas, got a call from a friend who lives on a horse ranch. While out for a ride, he'd happened upon a starving baby donkey who'd evidently been abandoned by his mother.

Unable to care for the youngster himself, Dankworth's friend reached out to her for help.

"He asked if I would like to try keep him alive," Dankworth told The Dodo. "He told me that he wasn’t in very good health and he probably wouldn’t make it through the night. I am such an animal lover, and there was no way I was gonna let that baby die."

Up until recently, Dankworth hadn't been sure about what field of study she'd like to pursue after graduating from high school. Now, as a result of her experience saving a baby donkey's life, she'd like to work helping other creatures for a living.

"Jack has really inspired me to go into that because I just love animals," she said. "Seeing how far he has come — from barely having enough strength to stand up to now being able to run around and chase my dogs — is one of the greatest things I could ever ask for. I'm so proud."